Recent Sightings

NameSightingDate
Simon RoddisA flock of 7 Little Egrets flew in early morning, joining the 5 already present. Great Egret still too. Off Horseshoe island, 7 Pochard (plus duckling), female Red-crested Pochard and 7 Teal. 2+ Common Sandpiper. Fully grown juvenile Redshank at WLC and then in Brown Ale Bay (per Clive). Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Redstarts and 17 Mistle Thrushes in WLC fields/Shiningford.04/07/2025
Simon Roddis2 adult Black-tailed Godwits off Stones this morning. 3 Shelduck flew in early morning. 11 Teal, female Red-crested Pochard and at least 9 Pochard (plus 1 duckling) around Horseshoe island/WLC. Adult Yellow-legged Gull among 150 Lesser Black-backs on Sheepwash spit late morning. 1 Peregrine. Two pairs of Sedge Warblers with food on Stones island, presumably feeding second broods. Female and at least 1 juvenile Redstart in WLC fields.03/07/2025
Simon RoddisYesterday's Black-tailed Godwit was still on Stones this morning, although last seen in flight. A juvenile Stonechat in the overflow carpark is the first of the year, I believe. Another flock of Crossbills, 23 in the top of Hall Wood. A very tatty first-summer Common Gull flew past Stones. 367 Greylags. Female Pochard still with one duckling (and another 5 adults). Adult Yellow-legged Gull, the Great Egret and 6 Little Egrets still. Redstart in WLC fields.02/07/2025
Simon RoddisEarly-ish morning visit: a Black-tailed Godwit and female Teal off Stones, and a fly-over Yellow Wagtail. Great Egret at the north end. Ringed Plover at Sheepwash. Common Sandpiper at sailing club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. Spotted Flycatcher family still in Brown Ale Bay and c100 Linnets in the Sheepwash wildflower meadows.01/07/2025
Simon Roddis, Alan StewardsonA Greenshank, presumably yesterday's bird, was on Stones/sailing club islands this morning. The Great Egret still, at least 6 Little Egrets and 10 Grey Herons. Female Red-crested Pochard still. 5 Common Sandpipers on Horseshoe island. Adult Yellow-legged Gull among 65 Lesser Black-backs. 2 Redstarts (female and juvenile) and a Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. Spotted Flycatcher in Hall Wood. Alan had a Peregrine take a duckling off the water.30/06/2025
Simon RoddisA bit of a waderfest this morning, with 8 species in total. Highlights were 6 Black-tailed Godwits initially on sailing club island and later on Watersports island before flying W; a Green Sandpiper off the dam wall, a Greenshank circling Stones island and 2 Common Sandpipers on Horseshoe island, while a very small Oystercatcher chick on Watersports island was a surprise - many of the birds which bred or hatched here have already left. In addition, a Common Tern, 5 Shoveler, the female Red-crested Pochard still, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Great Egret, 5 Little Egrets, family of Willow Tits near WLC, Whitethroat still singing in Tail Bay, female Redstart again in WLC fields, and 80 Pied Wagtails on the dam wall early morning.29/06/2025
Simon RoddisA little bit quiet this morning (call it summer if you like) but still a few birds: 3 Shoveler from WLC, 420 Coot, 3 Little Egrets (5 yesterday evening), 9 Grey Heron, adult Spotted Flycatcher with recently fledged young at Brown Ale Bay, female Redstart in WLC fields, 5 Linnets in the wildflower meadows S of Sheepwash.28/06/2025
Simon Roddis6 Crossbills (a male and 5 female/juvs) flew through WLC creek mid morning, landing in a holly for a minute and giving great views before heading off SW. Adult Yellow-legged Gull off Stones. The Great Egret still, plus 2 Little Egrets. 17 Mute Swans plus the 4 cygnets. 3 Shoveler and the female Red-crested Pochard still from WLC. 65 Gadwall. 137 Tufted. Common Sandpiper on Watersports island. Total of c100 juv Black-headed Gulls doesn't seem like a particularly good return from 200+ nests.26/06/2025
Simon RoddisThe Black-tailed Godwit was still by the WLC this morning. Both egrets still and a very similar collection of duck to the last few days. Barnacle Geese pair still with 3 goslings. 2 Common Sandpipers at sailing club. Whitethroat still singing in Tail Bay. Spotted Flycatcher at Hopton end. Juvenile Redstart in WLC fields (another first of the autumn) and a Siskin over. And scores of tiny froglets on the path in Tail Bay.25/06/2025
Simon RoddisAn adult Black-tailed Godwit on Horseshoe island is the first of the autumn. Great and Little Egrets still. 19 adult Mute Swan. Just 3 Shoveler this morning, and the Red-crested Pochard from WLC. Black-headed Gulls seem to be having a poor breeding season: Millfields island appears deserted and the number of juveniles seems to be going down rather than up. Shame. 3 Sedge Warblers still singing in WLC creek and 2 near Millfields island, Reed Warbler singing at WLC, 4 Garden Warblers singing on/around Stones and another 2 in WLC creek.24/06/2025
Simon RoddisThe Great and Little Egrets still present this morning. 6 Shoveler from WLC. 7 Pochard, plus a single duckling with one of the females. Female Red-crested Pochard again from Stones. Peregrine over. 25 Sand Martins. Fledged Reed Warblers in Hopton reedbed.23/06/2025
Simon Roddis, Jon BradleyMonthly wildfowl count: 1,111 Canada Geese, 4 Barnacle (plus 3 goslings), 344 Greylags, 12 Mute Swan (plus 4 cygnets), 63 Gadwall (plus 6 broods), 267 Mallard, 1 RcPochard, 7 Pochard, 120 Tufted (plus 6 broods), 11 Moorhen, 333 Coot, 16 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 8 Little Grebe, 63 Great Crested, 8 Cormorant, single Little and Great Egrets, 8 Grey Heron. Pair of Peregrines over the WLC, upsetting the Black-headed Gulls.22/06/2025
Simon RoddisBack after a few days away, the water level has dropped quite a bit further! Pair of Mute Swans with 4 cygnets off Sheepwash, presumably from the Hopton nest. Pair of Barnacle Geese still with 3 young at WLC, plus another pair. Canada Geese and Greylags look to have increased significantly. Drake Teal on Horseshoe island. Female Pochard now with 2 chicks off Stones. 5 Lapwing. 3 Redshank. 1 Little Egret. 4 Grey Herons, including 3 juveniles at Sheepwash. 2 adult Willow Tits calling and singing on Stones and in WLC creek. House Martins collecting mud from sailing club shore but then flying off towards Hognaston. Fledged Garden Warbler on Stones and an adult with food in WLC creek. Reed Buntings with food on Stones.21/06/2025
Dave Armitt and Clive Ashton4 Chiffchaff , 3 LRP, 8 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little grebe, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting,6 Juv Blue tits, 3 pied wagtail, 2 Common Turn, 4 Redshank, 5 Drake Pochard WLC, 2 Barnacle goose with 3 Juv ,20 Gadwall, RC Pochard female WLC, Buzzard predating BH Gull chick WLC island , 2 Sedge warbler,2 Willow Warbler ,1 Willow Tit, 1 Treecreeper13/06/2025
Simon RoddisThe first brood of 7 Tufted ducklings were off Horseshoe island this morning, but soon trumped by Laura's brood of 14! The two Gadwall broods, 4 in each, appear to have merged under just one female. Kingfisher at Hopton end. 3 Redshank and 2 Lapwing, and a Little Egret off Stones causeway.08/06/2025
Simon RoddisTotal of 8 Willow Tits in Tail Bay this morning, a pair with at least 4 fledged young, plus 2 singles. 16 Crossbills over Millfields, 2 or 3 of them landing in the top of Blackwall Plantation. 2 Egyptian Geese past Stones island. 37 Gadwall and single Common and Red-crested Pochard. 2 Ringed Plover. 1 Lapwing. 150 Lesser Black-backs. Kingfisher and Whitethroat in Tail Bay. Reed Warblers at WLC and Brown Ale Bay. Male Redstart at top of WLC creek.07/06/2025
Simon RoddisA Carsi mega this morning in the shape of a Green Woodpecker on Stones, first calling in the wildlife classroom and then seen by Mike Redfern to fly onto sailing club island,but no further sign in the time we were there. Barnacle Geese still with 3 young on Horseshoe island. Male Shoveler. 29 Gadwall plus 2 broods of 4 still. 1 Ringed Plover. 2 Lapwing. 1 Little Egret. Reed Warbler singing at WLC and Sedge in Hopton reedbed. Garden Warbler with food at Hopton end and Blackcap in WLC creek.06/06/2025
SJR, CA, RPJ, AMD, MWAn excellent morning, although difficult to tell what time of year it is. A female Garganey was on Watersports island, a summer-plumage Black-necked Grebe at the WLC (credit to Roger), a Sanderling flew over Stones island, and Crossbill and Hobby over Hall Wood. 13 Mute Swans. 95 Greylags (plus goslings). 3 male Shoveler. Red-crested Pochard still. 3 Ringed Plover. 300 loafing Lesser Black-backs. Reed Warbler singing on Stones. Redstart and 2 Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood.04/06/2025
Simon RoddisA brood of 4 small Gadwall ducklings were in Shiningford creek this morning, my first of the year. 4 Ringed Plover on Watersports island and 3 Redshank around Stones. Female Red-crested Pochard loafing among the moulting Gadwall. Geese numbers seem to be on the rise, including 73 Gadwall (plus goslings).03/06/2025
Amanda PalethorpeBird Walk for beginners. Sand Martin, house sparrow, sedge warbler, Canada goose, oystercatcher, mallard, gt cr grebe, coot, mute swan, tufted duck, garden warbler, carrion crow, pied wagtail, BH gull, LR Plover, Red-crested pochard(fem), pochard, swift, greylag goose, blackbird, goldfinch, robin, house martin, blackcap, LBB gull, chiffchaff, blue tit, great tit, song thrush, cormorant, redshank, gadwall, woodpigeon, swallow, wren.01/06/2025
Simon Roddis10 Sanderling (9 at sailing club, 1 on Watersports island) is the equal highest count ever here. 2 Dunlin. Pair of Shoveler and the female Red-crested Pochard still. 25 Gadwall. Pair of Kestrels over the main centre buzzed by a Sparrowhawk. Reed Warbler singing at WLC and Whitethroat at Hopton end.30/05/2025
Simon Roddis5 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling flew NW at 09:27 and another Dunlin flew in past Stones island at 10:15. A pair of Egyptian Geese at Millfields were new for the year here, I believe, and the first ever in May. Otherwise, it was mainly long-stayers: pair of Barnacle Geese with young, pair of Shoveler, drake Pochard, Little Egret, 2 Redshank, Reed Warbler on Stones causeway. A male Bullfinch was feeding a female at Millfields, presumably courtship behaviour.29/05/2025
Simon Roddis3 Sanderling this morning, one on Watersports island and 2 found by Jon Lowes on the dam wall. 3 Dunlin. 2 Shelduck. Male and female Shoveler (separately) and female Red-crested Pochard still. Little Egret. 4 singing Reed Warblers in the Stones/sailing club area, clearly still arriving.28/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Jon BradleyMonthly wildfowl count: 203 Canada Geese, 54 Greylag, 9 Mute Swan, 12 Gadwall, 106 Mallard, 52 Tufted, 1 Red-crested Pochard, 9 Moorhen, 191 Coot, 6 Little Grebe, 86 GCGrebe, 10 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 21 Cormorant, 1 Heron, 1 Little Egret. Broods (all minima) included 12 Mallard, 5 Greylag, 2 GCGrebe, 2 Coot. A pair of Canadas at Sheepwash had 38 goslings in tow! Who knows how many broods they came from?!25/05/2025
Simon Roddis450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Sheepwash late morning is my highest ever May total here - not even had a three-figure count before. 2 immature Herring Gulls among them. Female Teal and Red-crested Pochard still. Lapwing displaying over Watersports island. Redstart and Chiffchaff with food at Hopton end. 1 Pied and 3 Spotted Flycatchers singing in Hall Wood, and Reed Warbler on Stones causeway.23/05/2025
Simon Roddis2 Sanderling flew between Stones island and the dam wall early morning but not seen again. 3 Ringed Plover still at sailing club. Little Egret on Stones causeway. Pair of Shoveler at WLC and a Reed Warbler singing in the creek. Single immature Yellow-legged, Great Black-backed and Common Gulls. 300+ Lesser Black-backs at Sheepwash late morning. Willow Tit singing on Stones.21/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonA Sanderling approaching summer plumage was on sailing club shore, with 3 Ringed Plovers there too. An Osprey from Stones island at 09:20, mobbed by Black-headed Gulls as it flew over Millfields. Female Teal in Shiningford Creek. Two more Oystercatcher chicks off Stones causeway (fourth brood so far). 2 Redshank on Horseshoe island. Fledged Great Tits at Watersports.20/05/2025
Simon RoddisThe pair of Barnacle Geese on Millfields island now have 4 chicks, last seen heading over towards sailing club. Pair of Moorhens with 5 chicks at PS hide. Pair of Little Grebe with 2 young in Shiningford creek. A few waders early on: 2 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper around Stones/sailing club. Common Tern at Millfields. 130 Lesser Black-backs loafing at Sheepwash late morning. 1 immature Common Gull. Reed Warbler singing on Watersports island, plus 3 in Hopton reedbed. Redstart at Hopton end. And Clive had a Little Egret off Stones causeway.19/05/2025
Simon RoddisMost frustrating sighting of the morning was a tern, possibly Roseate, which flew up the res but didn't stop, kept heading NNE. Couldn't get enough on it to be sure. 4 Common Terns were at the WLC briefly. 2 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls flew over Stones, the first one consisting of an adult and a second-summer, the other 2 adults; the first pair later flew back past Stones after being seen at the WLC by Roger and Alison. A Whimbrel flew N early on. Female Red-crested Pochard back off Stones causeway. Another Oystercatcher chick, this one on Shiningford shore. Great Egret on the shore at Sheepwash. 25 House Martins. Chiffchaff with food on Stones.17/05/2025
Simon RoddisAnother brood of Oystercatchers this morning, 2 small chicks on Millfields island. Common Sandpiper and Redshank on Stones. 75 Lesser Black-backs. A gathering of c100 Carrion Crows in/over Hall Wood. 4 Reed Warblers (3 singing) in Hopton reedbed, and 2 Linnet over. Fledged Long-tailed Tits on Stones and at Hopton end. Clive had Grey Wagtail with food at Sheepwash.16/05/2025
Simon RoddisJust bits and bobs this morning: at Sheepwash, pair of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks, drake Mandarin, Little Egret, singing Sedge Warbler. Redstart and Whitethroat at Hopton end. Single Curlew, Redshank and Lapwing from Stones, and Clive had 2 Common Sandpipers. Total of 50 Lesser Black-backs through/loafing, virtually all immatures of various ages. Hirundines moving through, c35 Sand Martins, 20 House, 12 Swallows.15/05/2025
Simon RoddisThe highlight this morning was a Black Tern around Watersports island 10:20-10:30 at least, and a Ringed Plover was on the sailing club shoreline. 4 immature Common Gulls. 2 Little Egret. Pair of Redstart at the top of WLC creek.14/05/2025
Simon RoddisPerimeter count this morning (not helped by a fairly strong breeze which will have drowned out some birdsong): 16 Pheasant, 1 Cuckoo just N of Millfields, 13 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 1 GSWoodpecker, 25 Magpie, 5 Coal Tit, 56 Blue, 31 Great, 23 Long-tailed, 7 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 86 Chiffchaff, 15 Sedge, 3 Reed, 57 Blackcap, 12 Garden, 2 Whitethroat (Oldfield Lane and Tail Bay), 7 Goldcrest, 139 Wren, 2 Nuthatch, 12 Treecreeper, 22 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle, 84 Blackbird, 1 Spotted and 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 105 Robin, 25 Dunnock, 1 Grey and 5 Pied Wagtail, 22 Chaffinch, 5 Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 21 Goldfinch, 7 Reed Bunting. Quite a bit of breeding activity, including fledged Robin and Treecreeper, plus birds with food: Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Mistle Thrush, Robin.13/05/2025
Simon RoddisEarly cloud and a spot of rain may have brought in the 5 adult Sandwich Terns which sat on buoys off Stones island, 05:50-06:05, before being hassled by a Lesser Black-back and weren't seen again. 2 Shelduck past Stones. 6 Pochard (4m,2f). Several broods of Greylag included a mega-brood of 20+ small goslings crossing the res with 2 adults. 2 adult Dunlin and a Curlew on sailing club shore. A sub-adult Herring Gull flew through with c30 Lesser Black-backs during the morning, and a sub-adult Great Black-back. Little Egret again on Horseshoe island/sailing club. Barn Owl on the main road early morning. 5 Ravens over the east side may have been a family party. 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed and 1 on sailing club island. 3 Spotted Flycatchers singing in Hall and Middle Woods, and the Pied Fly and a Redstart still in Hall Wood.12/05/2025
Simon RoddisWaders this morning included single Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew and Whimbrel. 2 Arctic Terns briefly. 5 Pochard (3f,2m). Immature Yellow-legged Gull again. Little Egret. A distant Peregrine. Willow Tit singing at Lane End and Reed Warbler singing on Stones. Fledged Treecreepers in WLC creek and Goldfinch at Lane End (seems quite early?).10/05/2025
D COATESTHE FIRST SWIFT ARRIVED AT DARLEY DALE APPROX { 11 }09/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonA pretty decent morning, with 2 Sanderling (approaching summer plumage) on sailing club shore and an Osprey later (but not for very long) over the Lane End area. Female Goldeneye off Stones still, single Little Egret and Common Tern. Pied Wagtails with food on the dam wall.09/05/2025
SJR, CA, RPJ, AMDA Bar-tailed Godwit was on Horseshoe island late morning. A Whimbrel flew NE early morning and it or another was in WLC fields later. A Yellow Wagtail flew SE over Stones island. The female Goldeneye off Stones again early morning and a Little Egret from the causeway. c75 Sand Martins, 20 House Martins and 10 Swallows. Treecreeper with food in WLC creek.08/05/2025
Simon RoddisA Whimbrel was on the dam wall early morning and departed NE at 07:45. Second-calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull again at Watersports. Female Goldeneye again off Stones island. Redstarts at Hopton end and WLC fields (per Clive). Grey Wagtail with food at Millfields.07/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonClive found a Spotted Flycatcher at the Lane End bombing tower this morning, first of the year we believe. Female Goldeneye and Red-crested Pochard still off Stones, the latter again hanging out with a male Common Pochard. 2 Shelduck. Curlew at sailing club and 2+ Redshank.06/05/2025
SJR, AHS, CA, KR5 Arctic Terns (4+1) through this morning (AHS,CA). Female Goldeneye still off Stones and male Mandarin at Sheepwash (KR). 20 Swifts, 100+ Sand Martins and single figures of House Martin and Swallow. Immature Common Gull again. Whitethroat singing in Tail Bay (a real scarcity here these days).05/05/2025
Amanda PalethorpeBirdwatching for beginners walk. house sparrow, BH gull, blackbird, robin, willow warbler, chiffchaff, sedge warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, swallow, swift, redshank, house Martin, sand Martin, mallard, tufted duck, gadwall, pochard, mute swan, Canada goose, greylag goose, moorhen, little grebe, gt Cr grebe, oystercatcher, coot, buzzard, crow, magpie, long-tailed tit, cormorant, goldfinch, pied wagtail, woodpigeon, wren, common sandpiper. 36 species.04/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonHighlights this morning were a Whimbrel and 2 fly-through Bar-tailed Godwits (only Clive saw the latter). 22 Swifts included 15 going N and 7 loitering. Female Goldeneye, female Red-crested and a pair of Common Pochard off Stones. 1 immature Common Gull. 4+ Sparrowhawks. Immature Peregrine past Stones. 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed, and Pied Flycatcher and Redstart in Hall Wood. 1 Siskin over Hopton end.04/05/2025
Christina KennedyThis afternoon in a field across from WLC, I saw a godwit. I'm just not 100 percent sure which one but I have photos.30/04/2025
Simon RoddisPerimeter counts this morning: 40 Pheasant, 4 singing Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 2 GSWoodpecker, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Willow, 124 Blue, 47 Great, 5 Long-tailed, 50 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 150 Chiffchaff, 14 Sedge, 3 Reed, 56 Blackcap, 9 Garden, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Goldcrest, 164 Wren, 1 Pied Flycatcher, only 1 Redstart (very disappointing), 115 Robin, 34 Song Thrush, 3 Mistle, 103 Blackbird, 37 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Bullfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 32 Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting. Clive's 3 Common Scoters still present mid-morning.26/04/2025
Dave Armitt8 Sedge Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, Great Crested Grebe with two young, 1 Male Pochard, 1 Heron , 4 Goldfinch,2 Garden Warbler, 2 Long tailed tit, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Reed Warbler WLC Reed bed25/04/2025
Simon RoddisClive saw the GNDiver early doors but I couldn't find it later (probably my eyes 😉). 4 Pochard. Female Red-crested Pochard still. New brood of 4 Greylag goslings in Shiningford Creek. Immature Yellow-legged Gull again. 1 House Martin among the Sand Martins. Reed Warbler singing on Stones and Redstart calling in WLC creek. (And I see that someone has had an Osprey over Stones island at 12:21.)24/04/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThe GNDiver still this morning. 2 Pink-footed Geese over Stones were a bit of a surprise. 2 Shelduck off Watersports island. c6 Pochard (at least 2 pairs). Drake Goosander flew N. Immature GBbGull. A Great Egret did pretty much a whole circuit of the res, while a Little Egret flew past Stones. After very few early in the morning, Sand Martins built up to c100 when the rain came later. 2 Dunlin past Stones (CA,AHS).21/04/2025
Simon RoddisThe GNDiver still this morning. A Yellow Wagtail flew over Stones. Female Red-crested Pochard at Sheepwash. Red-legged Partridge at Hopton end. The second-calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull again. 100+ Sand Martins. 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed and another on Stones causeway, and Sedge Warblers in WLC Creek and at Millfields as well as on Stones. Song Thrush with fledged young at Hopton and Pied Flycatcher still singing in Hall Wood. And a female Roe Deer eating gorse flowers.20/04/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonA few terns appeared early on: 10 Arctics flew through while 2 Commons were harassed briefly by 2 more Arctic. The GNDiver still, again coming pretty close to Stones island. Female Red-crested Pochard. Second-calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull hanging around the buoys. 1 Little Egret. First Greylag brood, c5 below Middle Wood.19/04/2025


Historic Sightings

DateSightingName
2015-07-15Redstart 10:00am Shiningford CreekEric Dewhurst
2015-07-05Osprey fishing in front of Sheepwash Hide 1525hrs, then drifted towards Hopton in sudden heavy rain and wind.Roger Carrington
2015-06-30Sedge Warbler (Reed bed adjacent to Wildlife Centre), Spotted Flycatcher (Wildlife Centre Creek). Great Crested Grebe with 2 young Shiningford CreekEric Dewhurst
2015-06-23An Osprey again at 0800hr before drifting northwest. Mute Swans with 4 cygnets around Sailing Club.Clive Ashton
2015-06-22Curlew west 7-20amMAP
2015-06-20Great Crested Grebe 39(plus five broods of 1,2,2 well grown and two with young on back of probably 2 each),Cormorant 12,Grey Heron 2,Mute Swan 9(pair with 2 young),Greylag Goose 11(plus 4 young),Canada Goose 446(plus creche of 14, two broods of 3 well grown one 5 very small),Mallard 66 (two broods of 6 old and 7 week old). Pochard 2(pair), Tufted Duck 197, Coot 199 (1 young), Oystercatcher 5, Little Ringed Plover 2,Lapwing 26 (2 young with one missing foot on Millfields Island),Redshank 7(2 young on Horseshoe Island), Yellow-legged Gull 1,Kingfisher 1. Kestrel 2.Peter Gibbon
2015-06-19No messagePeter Gibbon
2015-06-193 Common TernMark Pass
2015-06-18An Osprey at 0720hr, mobbed by BH Gulls, remained in the area this morning. Further sightings were made at 0800hr, perched on Lane end platform, and 0830hr over the east side. Clive Ashton/Roger Carrington
2015-06-16Horseshoe Island: 6 adult Redshank and at least 3 young, also 8 Lapwing and at least one small young. 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Great Crested Grebe (including one pair with two chicks). 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 3 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher.James Owen
2015-06-012 Little Tern(9-10 to 9-35am then flew wsw as rain eased),Hobby(thru)Mark Pass
2015-05-31Stones Island/WLC 1900-2045 Probable Honey Buzzard at 1940 flew south down the west side. 1 summer plumage Sanderling on Watersports, 1 2cy Common Gull, 100+ House MartinsSimon Roddis
2015-05-31WeBS count for May 05.50 to 10.30 Only adults counted unless mentioned. Great Crested Grebe 43(pair with 3 small young at Hopton End),Mute Swan 5,Canada Goose 179,Greylag Goose 4(with young), Barnacle Goose 5(two sets of twin young)Cormorant 7,Mallard 46,Tufted Duck 107,Oystercatcher 4,Lapwing 7(pair with two small young)Little Ringed Plover 2,Redshank 1,Coot 40,Black-headed Gull 103.Peter Gibbon
2015-05-23Black Tern(9-40am to 10-00am),Arctic Tern(2nd summer),Sanderling,Red Kite(south at 9am),Grey Wagtail,4 Stock Dove,2 LRPMAP,SJR,JB
2015-05-19early am--2 Turnstone,Sanderling,Greenshank,2 Dunlin--all on terra firmaMAP
2015-05-16ROSEATE TERN Adult(9-26 to 9-55am showed very well off Stones before calling and climbing high,flying into the westerly wind),3 Turnstone(thru),2 Arctic Tern(thru),3/4 Ringed Plover,2 Whimbrel(thru nwest),Dunlin,2 Common SandMAP,JB,CA
2015-05-15Early am- 9 Arctic Tern(flew east at 7-40am),4 Ringed Plover,DunlinMAP,RC
2015-05-15Early am- 1 Sanderling,1st summer Yellow L GullMAP,CA
2015-05-132 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin on sailing club shoreline and a Common Sandpiper on Watersports Island at 14.00.Paul Bennett
2015-05-132 Sandwich Terns, 5 Sanderling on Sail Club raft. 3 Ringed Plover, 3 LRP, 1 Dunlin on Sail Club shore. Female Wheatear on dam. 0745hrs.Roger Carrington
2015-05-121 Sanderling, 1 LRP, 2 Redshank and 4 Oystercatcher on Watersports Island at 15.00.Paul Bennett
2015-05-1150+ swifts, 2 broods of greylags (both with 5 goslings).John Matkin
2015-05-10Hobby over Stones Island, 2 Shelduck, 2 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Arctic Tern, 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton Reedbed.JB, MAP
2015-05-09Marsh Harrier flew east at 9:30am, 4 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plver, 1 Whimbrel on the lawn next to the Visitor Centre and later on Horseshoe Island.JB, SJR, AS
2015-05-073 Whimbrel on Horseshoe Island this morning, also 1 Arctic Tern and GN Diver still present. Clive Ashton
2015-05-07Pair of linnet, 8 starling, 2 little grebe, and a mandarin drake at TailbayJohn Matkin
2015-05-063 adult Kittiwakes dropped in at 8:20pm, 2 Arctic Terns, 6 Dunlin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, G N Diver,60+ Lesser Black-Backed Gulls in roost plus a Sparrowhawk caught a Swallow off Stones Island. John Bradley, Mark Pass, Roger Carrington
2015-05-04Following species are the collective sightings of the 11 people on the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon): House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Jackdaw, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Coot, Garden Warbler, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Goldfinch, Sedge Warbler, Canada Goose, Mallard, Swallow, Robin, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Wren, Sand Martin, Arctic Tern, Carrion Crow, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Great Northern Diver, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Chiffchaff, Collared Dove, Magpie, Whitethroat, Lapwing, Willow Tit, Grey Heron, Chaffinch and Greylag Goose.Gary Atkins
2015-05-02For anybody visiting Carsington please be aware that on the morning of Thursday 30th April 6 vehicles were broken in to at Sheepwash car park and a number of items were stolen. Some cars were broken in to despite there being nothing on show. Therefore it might be a good idea to not leave anything of value in your car. The police are looking in to the matter and are carrying out some surveillance work. If you do see anything suspicious then please let the rangers know who will pass it on to the police. Dave Newcombe
2015-05-02The adult Great Northern Diver in full summer plumage and close in to Sheepwash hide late morning/early afternoon. 3 Grey Herons, 4 Redshank, 3 LRP, Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sands, 7 Oystercatchers, Greenshank, Snipe. 6 Yellow Wags and 2+ White Wags on Stones Island in the evening. Pair of Redstarts in Wildlife centre creek. Female Wheatear on dam wall. Warblers counted during a circular walk include 25 Willow Warblers, 51 Chiffchaffs, 52 Blackcaps, 14 Garden Warblers, 7 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler. Dave Newcombe
2015-04-30GN Diver, Dunlin 10, LRP 5, Ringed Plover 2, Turnstone 2, Whimbrel 1, Sanderling 1, Snipe 1(11 wader species in all), Shelduck 2, Arctic Tern 8 at 0920 hrs, Osprey 0630-0650 hrs drifted west, Swift 3, Sand Martin c200, Swallow c100, House Martin c20, Yellow Wagtail 10+, White Wagtail 4, Linnet 8. Clive Ashton/Simon Roddis
2015-04-2913.30 to 14.30. 2 Sanderling, 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin in front of Sailing Club. 2 Common Sandpiper, 9 Yellow Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail on Stones Island, plus Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. 6 Common Tern in front of Watersports Island, plus another Common Sandpiper and 2 more Dunlin on it.Paul Bennett
2015-04-28GN Diver, Black tailed Godwit 5 (Millfields Island), Common Sandpiper 8, LRP 3, Ringed Plover 2, Teal 2, Swallow 100+, Sand Martin 30+, Garden Warbler 10+, Sedge Warbler 2.Clive Ashton
2015-04-27A good selection of waders on site this morning: 1 Whimbrel,2 Ringed Plover, Little ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 5+ Common Sandpiper mainly on the sailing Club shoreline also a Black tailed Godwit at the WLC. The GN Diver is now in splendid summer plumage. A pair of Shelducks on Watersports Island. Yellow Wagtail on Sailing club island, a pair of Redstart in the WLC creek nest prospecting and another singing further upstream. Warblers well represented including Sedge Warbler on Stones, a Reed Warbler in Hopton reedbed [SJR],several Whitethroats and an obvious influx of Garden Warbler over the last few days. Simon reported a drake Mandarin on Millfields Island, and another 2 Common Sandpiper at that location so 7+ on site. Clive Ashton
2015-04-25Spotted Redshank on Horseshoe Island at 9:00 till 9:15am but flighty and no further sign by 10:00.John Bradley
2015-04-2406:30-11:00 4 Black Terns @ 07:25, 2 Arctic Terns 06:50-06:55, 1 Little Gull, 1 Whimbrel, GNDiver in flight, several Garden Warblers around Stones Is and 2 Sedge Warblers (Stones and WLC).Simon Roddis
2015-04-2340 species logged collectively by a group on the annual evening Wagtail Walk, namely: Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Barnacle Goose, Lapwing, Jack Snipe, House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Little Ringed Plover, Tufted Duck, Yellow Wagtail, Coot, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Oystercatcher, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Redshank, Shoveler, Gadwall, Great-crested Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Wren, Woodpigeon, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Robin, Magpie, Cormorant, Little Egret, Tree Sparrow, Grey Heron, Chaffinch, Teal, Swallow, Curlew and Collared DoveGary Atkins
2015-04-22WeBS count for April 06.00-11.00 Great Northern Diver 1,Great Crested Grebe 45,Little Grebe 1,Cormorant 9,Heron 3,Mute Swan 5,Canada Goose 100,Greylag Goose 6,Barnacle Goose 6,Mallard 34,Teal 2, Gadwall 2,Tufted Duck 108,Coot 65,Moorhen 1,Lapwing 12,Little Ringed Plover 2,Redshank 9,Oystercatcher 16,Common Sandpiper 1,Black-headed Gull 84.Peter Gibbon
2015-04-21Early morning. 12 Shoveler, 1 Common Sandpiper at Millfields. Greenshank, yellow wagtail, GNDiver in summer plumage and Tree Pipit over Stones Island. 2LRP and 1 Dunlin on Sailing Club shore. F Mallard +6ducklings at WLCentre.Roger Carrington
2015-04-212 Arctic Tern {flew NE at 7-45),2 Yellow Wagtail, LRP,Golden Plover(flew NE),GN DiverMAP,JB
2015-04-20Jack Snipe feeding along the shoreline of Watersports Island at 7:45pm, GNDiver,female Common Scoter,2 Teal(pair),2 Shoveler (pair) in Shiningford Creek.John Bradley
2015-04-185 Arctic Terns at 09:45 before flying northeast, GN Diver, Black tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, 3 LR Plover, Curlew, 2 Swift, 4+ House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler singing briefly Stones Island.Clive Ashton/Mark Pass/Robin Crum
2015-04-11GNDiverMAP,CA,SJR,AS
2015-04-11Arctic Tern 6(one NW at 7-45,one NW at 8-00,three 8-30 in worst rain,one at 9-35 briefly),Yellow Wagtail,White Wagtail 2,Wheatear,Common Sand,Black Tailed Godwit,Peregrine,LRP 2,(ringed plover heard),Swallow 60,House Martin,Blackcap,Willow Warbler 4+,Goldeneye 3MAP,CA,SJR,AS,
2015-04-08Osprey (from 7-10am to 7-30am approx)Mark Pass,Roger Carrington
2015-04-08Osprey seen from Stones Island at c17:30 flying north over the reservoir.John Matkin
2015-04-07Osprey circling high over Millfields carpark at 10:30am before drifting off NW up the reservoirJohn Bradley
2015-04-06Osprey(flew rapidly NW at 8-40),Common Scoter,Med Gull 1st summer,GN Diver,Shoveler 2,Redpoll,Swallow,Sand Martin 5,M Pipit(100's going NW),Shelduck 2MAP,JB,CA,RC,AS
2015-04-05Between 3pm-7pm : Great Northern Diver from Stones ( looks scruffy and neck and head still to develop full summer plumage ); pair of mandarin duck, close to east shoreline north of Fishtail Creek ; 2 redshank and 1 curlew from WLC .John Babb
2015-04-051st winter Med Gull around Stones Island causeway and WLC 0900-1000; GN Diver, 8 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, 1 Red Kite, 1 Swallow, 2 Raven, 2 LinnetSimon Roddis

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